Cooling breath – Sheetali
Section: Breathing techniques
Sheetali
- Sit in a comfortable seated position with the spine, neck and head in alignment.
- Extend the tongue outside the mouth, as far as comfortable.
- Roll the sides of the tongue up so that it forms a tube.
- Inhale slowly and deeply through the tongue.
- At the end of the inhalation, draw the tongue in, close the mouth and exhale out the nose.
- Practice up to 15 rounds of breath.
- The cool sensation experienced of the inhaled breath.
- The sucking sound.
- Low blood pressure.
- Respiratory disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis.
- Cools the body and helps to regulate the temperature.
- Induces muscular relaxation.
- Calms the mind.
- Helps to generate a feeling of satisfaction.
- Once established, the breath can be retained in for a few seconds. The duration may be increased as the technique is mastered.
- About one-third of the population is genetically unable to roll the sides of the tongue into a tube. However the practice of the Hissing breath (Sheetkari) gives similar benefits.
